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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA    SAN  DIEGO 


3  1822  01503  4804 


L 


LIBRARY 

unive:;3iiv  of 

CAtifORNIA 

SAN  DIEGO 


RY 


INTERNATIONAL  BUREAU  OF  AMERICAN  REPUBUCS 

JOHN     BARRE^TT.     DIRE:.CT0R 

FRANCISCO  J.  YANES.  SECRETARY 


THE 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  SAN  DIEGO 


ARGENTINE  REPUBLIC 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTIVE  DATA 
PREPARED  IN  JUNE,  1909 


WASHINGTON.  D.  C. 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 

1909 


INTERNATIONAL  BUREAU  OF  AMERICAN  REPUBLICS 

JOHN     BARRELTT.     D  I  R  El  C  T  O  R 
FRANCISCO  J.  YANES.  SECRETARY 


THE 


ARGENTINE  REPUBLIC 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTIVE  DATA 
PREPARED  IN  JUNE,   1909 


WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 

1909 


rvi 


H 


r 


171 


ARGENTINE    REPUBLIC 


The  Argentine  Republic,  the  third  largest  of  the  American  Kepub- 
lics,  is  situated  between  latitude  22°  and  56°  south  and  longitude 
west  of  Greenwich  53°  and  57°.  being  bounded  by  the  Republics  of 
Chile.  Bolivia.  Paragua}',  Brazil,  Uruguay,  and  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 
It  has  an  area  of  1,135,84:0  square  miles,  equal  to  about  one-half  the 
total  area  of  the  United  States  of  America,  and  a  population  of 
().100.3(>1.  or  5.4  per  square  mile,  as  against  23.2  in  the  United  States 
of  America. 

Stretching  over  34°  of  latitude,  the  country  presents  a  variety  of 
climate  and  products,  ranging  from  tropical  in  the  north  to  arctic 
in  the  south,  but  the  larger  part  of  its  territory  lies  within  the 
temperate  zone.  The  broad,  fertile  plains  extending  from  the  At- 
lantic to  the  foot  of  the  Andes,  occasionally  broken  by  a  series  of  low 
mountains,  afford  excellent  pasturage  for  thousands  of  cattle,  and 
nearly  all  cereals,  especially  wheat,  corn,  and  oats,  are  successfully 
cultivated.  Other  industrial  articles  produced  in  export  cjuantities  are 
hides  and  skins  of  all  kinds,  and  the  valuable  quebracho  wood  and  its 
extract.  Sugar,  cotton,  tobacco,  and  grapes  are  largely  grown,  but 
mostl}^  for  home  consumption.  The  mountains  contain  rich  deposits 
of  silver,  copper,  and  gold,  which  are  as  yet  exploited  to  a  limited 
extent  only. 

HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

The  Si:)anish  navigator,  Juax  de  Solis,  in  search  of  a  passage  to 
the  Pacific  Ocean,  was  the  first  European  to  explore  the  Rio  de  la 
Plata,  in  the  year  1508  and  again  in  1515.  Sebastian  Cabot  sub- 
sequently explored  the  country,  sailing  up  the  Parana  and  Paraguay 
rivers  in  1526. 

Pedro  de  Mendoza  was  appointed  Governor  of  the  countrj'  by  the 
Spanish  Crown  in  1536.  and  founded  what  is  now  the  city  of  Buenos 
Aires.  The  settlement  was,  however,  destroyed  by  the  Indians,  and 
it  was  not  until  the  year  1576,  when  Juan  de  Garay  became  Gov- 
ernor, that  any  serious  attempt  Avas  again  made  to  colonize  the  coun- 
try. The  Province  of  T'ruguay.  as  the  entire  territory  Avas  then 
called,  was  placed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Viceroy  of  Peru,  but 
in  1776  the  La  Plata  country  had  become  of  sufficient  importance  to 
warrant  the  establishment  of  a  separate  viceroyalty.  and  Don  Pedro 
DE  Cevallos  was  appointed  Viceroy  of  the  Rio  de  la  Plata  Provinces. 

3 


ARGENTINE   REPUBLIC. 


In  the  year  1805  Great  Britain,  then  at  war  with  Spain,  attempted 
to  seize  the  city  of  Buenos  Aires,  which  had  become  an  important 
trade  center,  but  the  British  troops  were  unsuccessful,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing year  they  temporarily  abandoned  the  contest.  Within  less 
than  a  year,  however,  the  attempt  was  again  made  to  capture  the  city, 
the  British  being  again  and  finally  defeated  on  July  6,  1807. 

The  war  for  independence  from  Spanish  rule  began  on  Maj^  25, 
1810,  Don  Manuel  Belgrano,  General  San  Martin,  and  Admiral 
GuiLLERMo  Brown  being  among  the  distinguished  patriots  engaged 
in  the  struggle.  The  Spanish  troops  were  defeated  both  by  water  and 
b}'  land  on  June  22,  1814,  and  were  obliged  to  abandon  the  fort  of 
Montevideo,  their  last  stronghold  in  the  La  Plata  Provinces. 

A  constitutional  Assembh^,  which  convened  at  Tucuman,  formalh' 
declared  the  independence  of  the  "  Provincias  Unidas  del  Rio  de  la 
Plata"  (United  Provinces  of  the  La  Plata  River),  on  July  9,  1816, 
and  vested  the  executive  authority  in  a  Supreme  Director;  Don  Juan 
Martin  de  Pueyrredon  being  elected  to  that  position.  The  title  of 
Republic  was  subsequently  changed  to  that  of  Argentine  Republic 
and  later  to  Argentine  Confederation  and  finally,  in  the  year  18(30,  to 
Argentine  Nation,  which  is  now  its  official  designation.  In  the  year 
1821  the  executive  })ower  was  vested  in  a  President  of  the  Republic, 
and  Don  Bernardo  Rivadavia  was  inaugurated  as  the  first  executive 
of  this  office  on  February  7,  1825. 

The  incorporation  of  the  territory  now  constituting  the  Republic 
of  Uruguay  into  the  Argentine  Confederation  resulted  in  war  with 
Brazil.  This  war  began  on  December  10,  1825,  and  lasted  until  1827, 
when  a  treaty  of  peace  was  concluded,  on  Febnuiry  20,  whereby  the 
independence  of  Uruguay  was  guaranteed. 

Among  the  great  men  of  the  Argentine  Nation  may  be  mentioned  Don 
Bartolome  MrpRE,  author,  statesman,  soldier,  and  patriot,  Avho  com- 
manded the  allied  forces  in  the  war  with 
Paraguay;  Don  Domingo  Faustino  Sarmi- 
KNTO,  the  great  educator,  wlio  organized  (he 
school  system  of  the  Republic;  Don  Nicolas 
Avellaneda,  who  stinuilated  commerce  and 
iiichistries;  and  Don  Jcmo  Roca,  who  sub- 
dued the  troublesome  Indians  of  the  (^haco 
and  successfully  averted  a  war  with  Chile 
which  threatened  to  exentuale  as  the  result  of 
a  boundary  disi)ute. 

Don  .Manuel  Quintana  was  iuaiiguralcd 
Pivsideiit  of  tlie  Ivepublic  on  October  12,  IDOI. 
but  di('»|  oil  March  12.  lUOCi.  before  (he  expira- 
tion of  his  lei  III  o|  ollice.  lie  waS  succeeded  by  I  lie  (lien  Vice- 
l*resi(len(.  Dr.  .losi';  I'^na  kiio \  Ai.coiti'.\,  \\lio>e  (enii  of  olliic  will 
expire  on  Octobei-  II.  JUIO. 


On.  DOM  JOS^  FlOUf  WO*  Al  COtlTA.  Pllt»- 

totur  Of  TMf  AiiofNT  Nr  nrcuniir. 


ARGENTINE   REPUBLIC. 


CONSTITUTION  AND  GOVERNMENT. 


The  Argentine  Republic  is  one  of  the  five  American  Republics 
which  have  adopted  the  Federal  Union  of  States  as  its  form  of 
government,  the  others  being  the  United  States  of  America,  the 
United  States  of  Brazil,  the  United  Mexican  States,  and  the  United 
States  of  Venezuela.  All  the  other  American  Republics  have  a  unitary 
or  centralized  form  of  government. 

The  constitution  adopted  May  1,  1853.  modeled  closely  after  that 
of  the  United  States  of  America,  provides  for  the  usual  three  branches 
of  government — the  legislative,  executive,  and  judicial. 

The  legislative  power  is  vested  in  the  National  Congress,  consisting 
of  the  Senate  and  the  Chamber  of  Deputies,  the  former  with  30  mem- 
bers and  the  latter  with  120.  Senators  are  elected  by  the  legislatures 
of  the  States,  usually  called  '•  provinces,"  and  in  the  federal  district 
by  a  special  body  of  electors,  for  a  term  of  nine  years,  two  senators 
being  named  for  each  province  and  two  for  the  federal  district.  The 
Senate  is.  however,  renewed  by  thirds  every  three  years.  Deputies 
are  elected  by  direct  popular  vote,  for  a  term  of  four  years,  in  the 
proportion  of  one  for  every  33,000  inhabitants.  The  Chamber  of 
Deputies  is  renewed  by  halves  every  two  years. 

The  President  of  the  Republic,  assisted  by  a  cabinet  of  eight  min- 
isters or  secretaries  of  state,  exercises  the  executive  authority.  The 
President  and  Vice-President  are  elected  indirectly,  as  in  the  United 
States,  by  electors  chosen  by  the  people  for  that  purpose,  and  for  a 
term  of  six  years.  Xeither  the  President  nor  the  Vice-President  may 
be  elected  for  a  second  term  immediately  following  their  incumbency 
of  the  office.    The  Vice-President  is  the  President  of  the  Senate. 

The  jiulieiary  is  composed  of  a  national  supreme  court  for  courts 
of  appeals  and  courts  of  first  instance.  Each  province  has  its  own 
judiciarw  The  supreme  court  is  composed  of  lixc  judges  and  (he 
courts  of  appeals  of  three  judges  each,  apjioinled  by  the  Pi-esith^il  of 
the  Republic. 

President I  ""•  •T<»si';  Fua  kkoa  Ai.couta. 

Miiiislei-  of  tlie  Interior Dr.  Marco  Avkm.ankda. 

Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs Dr.  Victorino  ni':  i,a  Ti.aza. 

Minister  f>f  the  Treiisnry Dr.  AfANtiFii,  hk  Iriondo. 

.Minister  of  .Tiist  ice  and  I'nidie  Instruction Dr.  S.  S.  Na^n. 

Minister  of  IMiltlie  WorlvS 1  'r.  Iai  cjriKi.  Uamos  MkxIa. 

.Minister  of  A'^'riciiltnre Sr.  I'idko  Kzourra. 

.Minister-  of  \\;ir  Sr.  (Iciieijil  l{  \i  ai;i.  M.  Aim'ihrk. 

.Ministr-r  of  M.irinr  Re:n- Adniiial  Onoiui:  I'.i  Tninr.R. 

The  sahiry  of  the  i'resich'iit   is  PT'J.OOO  ($;•,»',.()()())    per  anmiiii. 

INTI'.Iilol!  (;oVERNMKN'r. 

'I'h<-  Aroeiii  inc  licpiil.lic  i-  <li\  ideil  into  II  |>ro\iiices.  I (»  territories, 
iiimI    I     fclcial    (li-lrni.   llic    |iin\iiHc-    lieiiio-  aiil noil-    in    their   in- 


8  •  ABGENTINE   REPUBLIC. 

terior  government,  while  the  executive  authority  in  the  territories  is 
vested  in  a  Governor  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  Republic. 
The  federal  district  is  administered  by  an  intendento.  or  mayor,  who 
is  likewise  appointed  by  the  President,  and  assisted  h\  a  municipal 
council  elected  by  the  people. 

The  following  are  the  political  divisions  of  the  Argentine  Republic : 

Federal  district  of  Buenos  Aires,  capital  of  the  Republic. 
Province  of —  Capital. 

Buenos  Aires La  Plata. 

Catamarca Catamarca. 

Cordoba Cordoba. 

Corrientes Corrieutes. 

Entre  Rios Parana. 

Jujuy Jujuy. 

Mendoza Mendoza. 

Rioja La  Rioja. 

Salta Salta. 

San  Juan San  Juan. 

Santa  Fe. Santa  Fe. 

Santiago  del  Estero Santiago  del  Estero. 

San  Luis San  Luis. 

Tucumau Tucuniau. 

Territory  of — 

Chaco Resistencia. 

Chubut Rawson. 

Formosa Formosa. 

Los  Andes San  Antonio  de  los  Cob  res. 

Misiones Posadas. 

Neuquen Cbos -Malal. 

Pampa  Central General  Acba. 

Rio  Negro ^ Yiedma. 

Santa  Cruz Puerto  Gallegos. 

Tierra  del  Fuego Ushuaia. 

AHMV    AND    NAVY. 

Under  a  law  enacted  in  1901,  military  service  in  the  Argentine 
Republic  is  conijiulsory.  All  able-bodied  citizens  nnist  serve  from 
their  twentieth  to  their  forty-fifth  year,  nominally  for  a  period  of 
twenty-five  years,  although  the  actual  service  larcly  extends  beyond 
one  year.  There  are  two  reserve  corps — the  National  (iuard,  com- 
prising all  citizens  between  the  ages  of  28  and  10  years,  and  the 
Territorial  (Jiiaid.  composed  of  citizens  over  1()  years  of  age.  Those 
nrxler  "28  and  oNcr  'JO  serve  foi-  one  year  with  the  colors.  Naturalized 
citizens  are  (-xempt  fi-om  military  duty  for  a  term  of  ten  years  aftei- 
their  naluralizal  ion. 

The  i;e|)iililic  iv  divided  into  live  military  districts,  each  with  a 
disti'ici  commaiidei'.  In  ca<e  of  mol)ilizal  ion  each  disti'ict  must  pro- 
vide two  divisions,  making  a  total  (d"  ten  divisions  (d"  I'J.OOO  men 
each.     This  does  not   iurlnde  (he  N;iii(iii:il  (ir  Tcnit<iri;il  (iiiards. 


syu3u— Ui» 2 


10 


ABGENTINE   REPUBLIC. 


On  a  peace  footing  the  Argentine  army  consists  of  1,560  officers 
and  16,000  men. 

Education  of  army  officers  is  provided  for  at  the  Militar}'  College 
at  San  Martin,  a  short  distance  from  Buenos  Aires,  where  ample 
opportunities  for  a  thorough  training  are  afforded,  while  the  Naval 


•  AVAI-KYMAN.  AKCKXTINE  KKIMBLK'. 

The  fiivnirv  l.riiiicli  i.i  Arir<iitiiiii'>-  ^ijiinliiit;  army  consists  (if  eleven  reKitiients.  The  men  are 
expert  linr-eineii,  ami  llii-  liniiieli  uf  Ilie  national  service  ap|M-al-  to  lliem.  The  nionnls  are  of 
small  •.lalnre,  virunt'.  har'ly.  ami   liit'li  ~|.irite<l,  hut   very  traclahle. 

Academv.  lociitcd  in  ;i  Im-miii  i  fiil  |):iil<.  in  the  .sul)iii'l)  of  I^'lorcs,  pro- 
vides ediicalion  for  officers  of  the  naval  service. 

The  Argentine  navy  consists  of  4  armored   cruisers  of  (he  first 
class,  of  6,840  tons  each,  the  San  Martin,  General  Bchjrano,  Vucyi^e- 


ARGENTINE   REPUBLIC.  11 

don,  and  Garibaldi ;  3  ironclads,  the  Almirante  Brown,  of  4,200  tons, 
the  Lihertad,  and  hidependencda,  of  2,300  tons  each ;  2  monitors, 
El  Plata  and  Los  Andes,  of  1,535  tons  each;  4  cruisers  of  the  second 
class,  the  Buenos  Aires,  9  de  Julio,  25  de  Mayo,  and  Patagonia,  of 
4,700,  3,560,  3,200,  and  1,530  tons,  respectively;  also  3  destroyers,  2 
torpedo  cruisers,  24  torpedo  boats,  1  school-ship,  5  transports,  and  a 
number  of  auxiliaiy  vessels. 

The  officers  of  the  navy  number  493,  including  engineers,  while 
the  number  of  enlisted  men  varies  from  5.000  to  6,000,  according  to 
the  number  of  conscripts  recruited  aniuially. 

THE  ARGENTINE  REPUBLIC  IN  1908. 

The  year  1908  was  one  of  steady  progress  and  prosperity  in  the 
history  of  the  Argentine  Republic.  Agriculture,  which  forms  the 
basis  of  the  nation's  wealth,  made  signally  prosperous  returns;  the 
wheat  crop  was  the  largest  ever  harvested;  linseed  exports  made  a 
new  record ;  and  though  maize  suffered  somewhat  from  the  effects  of 
drought,  large  shipments  were  reported,  and  in  the  status  of  oats  on 
the  export  returns,  a  gain  of  150  per  cent  was  reported.  The  pastoral 
industries  also  made  satisfactory  returns,  exports  of  frozen  meats 
showing  considerable  advance  over  the  preceding  year,  though  ship- 
ments of  live  cattle  still  remain  in  an  unsatisfactory  condition. 

The  producing  capacity  of  the  country  is  steadily  increasing,  and 
in  cereal  production  its  status  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  as  a  corn 
exporter  the  Argentine  Republic  took  first  rank  in  1908,  occupying 
the  place  formerly  held  by  the  United  States.  In  the  production  of 
this  foodstuff  the  country  ranks  third,  and  as  a  wheat  grower  fifth. 
It  is  first  as  an  exporter  of  frozen  meat  and  second  as  a  shipper  of 
wool. 

In  the  number  of  its  cattle  the  Republic  holds  third  place  among 
the  nations,  being  ranked  by  India  and  the  United  States.  Russia 
and  the  United  States  exceed  it  in  number  of  horses,  and  Australia 
alone  has  a  greater  number  of  sheep. 

The  large  trade  balance  of  the  country  is  ample  indication  of  the 
year's  prosperity,  exports  showing  a  great  advance  over  the  preceding 
year  and  an  excess,  as  compared  with  imports,  of  nearly  $100,000,000. 
The  decline  in  imports,  as  compared  with  1907,  is  due  largely  to 
decreased  receipts  of  railway  material,  of  which  the  companies  laid 
in  large  quantities  prior  to  the  operations  of  the  Mitre  law,  which 
unified  the  privileges  accorded  to  the  corporations. 

Industrial  advancement  is  indicated  by  the  increased  number  of 
mills  and  factories  in  operation ;  immigration  figures  surpassed  all 
previous  records;  railroad  connections  were  extended;  and  financial 
conditions  generally  were  satisfactory. 


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ARGENTINE   REPUBLIC.  13 


FOIJKKiN     A  FI  A  IK'S. 


Anioiiii'  the  atrairs  of  iinijortaiicc  in  tlic  admiiii^ti'atioii  of  tlic  for- 
eign  policies  of  the  (foveriiineiit  no  event  of  the  year  takes  rank  over 
the  general  arbitration  treaty  with  Brazil,  whieli  was  promulgated  in 
Xovemher.  The  Kepiil)lic  also  participate(l  in  the  Kefrigeration 
Congress  held  in  Paris  in  October,  and  the  reconniiendations  and 
reports  of  the  Argentine  delegates  on  i)asteurization,  shij)nient,  and 
distribution  of  milk  were  well  received.  The  dairy  industry  is  at- 
tracting attention  throughout  the  country,  and  Argentine  butter  is 
taking  its  place  on  the  export  lists  of  the  country. 

Buenos  Aires  has  been  selected  as  the  phice  of  meeting  for  the  next 
Congress  of  Americanists,  adjourned  in  Vienna  in  September,  11)08. 
The  conference  Avill  be  held  in  1910,  the  year  of  the  centennial  cele- 
bration of  the  country's  independence. 

The  exposition  of  national  industries,  scheduled  in  connection  with 
the  centennial  festivities,  is  to  make  a  feature  of  transportation 
methods,  all  nations  being  invited  to  participate  in  a  display  of  rail- 
Avay  equipment  and  land  transport  generally. 

The  same  year  and  place  has  been  selected  for  the  Fourth  Interna- 
tional Conference  of  the  American  Eepnblics,  for  which  active  prep- 
arations are  going  forward  throughout  the  republics  interested. 

The  work  of  the  Carnegie  Institute  is  to  be  continued  in  the  Argen- 
tine Republic  under  the  direction  of  I*rof.  Lewis  Boss.  The  assist- 
ance rendered  by  the  Argentine  (Tovernnient  has  greatly  aided  in 
the  advancement  of  this  work. 

I'rogress  in  matters  of  pul)lic  utility  during  the  year  was  very 
satisfactory.  Numerous  concessions  granted  were  to  increase  existing 
railway  lines,  to  sui)ply  new  harbor  accommodations  at  Buenos  Aires, 
and  for  water  and  drainage  works. 

FINANCE. 

The  financial  situation  remains  satisfactory,  the  national  revenues 
being  ample  for  the  ordinary  refiuirements,  and  the  public  debt 
service  was  promptly  met  without  recourse  to  the  credit  available  at 
the  Argentine  Xatioiial  Bank.  At  the  close  of  the  year  the  total  lia- 
bilities of  the  (xovernment  were  $878,500,000.  The  Province  of 
Buenos  Aires  successfidly  lloated  a  loan  for  the  completion  of  a 
rechunation  i:)ro]ect  by  wliidi  a  large  area  of  arable  land  will  become 
available. 

The  rei)ort  of  the  Minister  of  Finance  showed  treasuiT  receipts  for 
the  year  amounting  to  $112,000,000  derived  from  customs  receipts  and 
internal-revenue  taxes.  Import  duties  figured  in  the  receipts  to  the 
extent  of  nearly  $.">T,()00,0()().  (li\  ided  among  Buenos  Aires,  Rosario. 
La  I'lata.  and  P)ahia  T'lanca  in  the  order  named.     .Ml  of  these  ports, 


ARGENTINE   REPUBLIC.  15 

with  the  exception  of  Rosario,  showed  an  increase  in  imports  over 
1907.  The  expenditures  reached  a  total  of  $103,000,000,  leaving  a 
surplus  of  $9,000,000. 

The  budget  for  1909  as  approved  by  the  National  Congress  pro- 
vides for  expenditures  of  $25,907,777  gold  and  ?=1 98,344,400,  with 
estimated  revenues  of  $67,820,433  and  ^=100,639,516.  Bank  deposits 
in  the  Republic  on  January  31,  1908,  aggregated  $23,538,215  and 
^'Sll, 026,530,  while  the  cash  on  hand  on  the  same  date  amounted  to 
$47,570,137  and  ^230,161,400.  The  Government  gold  reserve  for  the 
conversion  of  national  currency  amounted  to  $126,482,515.76,  an  in- 
crease of  $21,368,644.26  over  1907. 

The  capital  of  the  Bank  of  the  Argentine  Nation  was  increased 
by  a  law  authorizing  the  issue  of  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $17,177,000 
gold,  secured  by  the  general  revenues  of  the  Republic. 

British  capital  continued  to  figure  prominently  in  various  enter- 
prises to  the  extent  of  £243,000,000,  railways  proving  the  principal 
attraction  for  investors,  with  government  bonds  in  second  place. 

COMMERCE. 

The  Argentine  Republic  was  one  of  the  few  countries  of  the  world 
reporting  advanced  trade  values  for  the  year  1908,  a  gain  of  over 
$56,000,000  being  reported.  The  immense  grain  crops  of  the  year, 
which  swelled  the  exports  of  the  country,  accounted  for  this  gratify- 
ing result.  The  total  valuation  of  the  foreign  commerce  of  the  Re- 
public for  1908  was  $638,978,077,  as  compared  with  $582,065,052  in 
1907.  This  increase  is  to  be  credited  entirely  to  the  side  of  exports, 
amounting  to  $366,005,341,  as  compared  with  $296,204,469  in  1907, 
a  gain  of  $69,800,972;  while  imports  worth  $272,972,736  declined 
by  $12,887,947,  the  figures  for  the  previous  year  having  been 
$285,860,683.  Only  for  one  year  has  the  reported  trade  balance  of 
$93,022,605  been  exceeded,  when  in  1905  the  exports  were  greater 
than  imports  by  over  $117,000,000. 

The  countries  of  origin  for  imports  during  the  year  under  review, 
with  the  respective  valuations  furnished  by  each  in  comparison  with 
the  preceding  year,  were  as  follows:  Great  Britain,  $93,371,396,  a 
decline  of  $4,564,347 ;  Germany,  $37,847,076,  a  decline  of  $7,964,094 ; 
United  States,  $35,597,004.  a  decline  of  $3,245,273;  France,  $26.- 
476,917,  an  advance  of  $1,008,891 ;  Italy  $24,913,248,  an  advance  of 
$910,007 ;  and  Belgium,  $12,753,373,  a  loss  of  $3,143,477.  From  the 
above  figures  it  will  be  noted  that  the  three  ranking  countries  de- 
creased their  sales,  while  the  two  next  in  order  increased  their  ship- 
ments. Great  Britain  holds  first  place,  with  34.2  per  cent,  while 
Germany  and  the  Ignited  States  follow,  with  13.9  and  13.2  per  cent, 
respectively. 


GREAT-BRITAIN 

BELGIUM 
GLRM/^Y 

BRAZII^ 
UNITID  STATES 

ITALY 

NETHERLANDS 

SPAIN 

CANADA 

CHILE 

AUSTRR-HCrnGMYl 

URUGUAV 

BOLIVIA 
OTHERS- 


OTHERS 
BOLIVIA 
CHILE. 
PARAG  UAY] 
NETHERLANDS 
URUGUAY 
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY 
BRAZIL^ 
SPAIM 
BELGIUM 
ITALY 
FRAMCE 
"UNITED  STATESJ 
GERMANY 

G2EAT  BRITAIN 


ARGENTINE   REPUBLIC.  17 

A  classiHcMtidii  of  the  imijort^  for  the  \\'-dv  <rivi's  textiles  and  in-iuu- 
factured  <yo(n\s  the  first  place  witli  a  total  of  $-1:1), 1)11,338,  followed 
by  transport  appliances  and  vehicles,  $30,700,337;  iron  and  manu- 
factures of.  $30.07r).4S4 :  pottery,  ceramics,  etc.,  $2-l:,81)7,435 ;  food- 
stuti's,  $23,r)41).0!)T :  huildin.i!-  materials,  $21,182,420;  agricultui'al  im- 
plements, $lo,83S>.S3cS;  wines  and  liquors,  $13,270,781;  and  mineral 
and  ve<ietable  oils,  $11,051,723.  A  comparison  of  these  figures  with 
those  for  the  previous  year  shows  the  following  gains:  Pottery  and 
ceramics.  $4,204,045;  oils.  $2,900,1)52;  foodstuff's,  $2,015,1)08;  textiles, 
$2.503.S30;  metals  (other  than  iron).  $1,004,41)5;  chemical  and  phar- 
maceutical products,  $1,000,058;  and  wines  and  li(|uors.  $()40,042. 
On  the  other  hand,  a  decline  was  noted  in  the  following:  Vehicles, 
$21,020.413 :  iron,  etc.,  $3.085.055 ;  agricultural  implements.  $2.701,731 ; 
and  building  materials.  $1.S37.!»(')7. 

A  review  of  the  export  \alues.  as  compared  with  li)07,  shows 
Great  Britain  to  have  received  $78,324,723,  a  decline  of  $24,(;0s.571 ; 
Belgium,  $35,778,188,  an  advance  of  $0,180,055;  Germany, 
$34,751,91)4,  a  decline  of  $1.(')71.()('.2 ;  France,  $28,913,730,  a  decline  of 
$8,848,310;  Brazil,  $15,095,578.  an  advance  of  $1,077,147;  United 
States,  $13,023,238,  an  advance  of  $2,082,802.  While  Great  Britain 
is  credited  with  21.4  })er  cent  of  the  export  values,  it  nuist  also  be 
borne  in  mind  that  37  per  cent  of  these  figures  represent  grain  ship- 
ments subject  to  distribution  in  accordance  with  subsequent  orders, 
most  of  which  finds  a  sale  in  British  markets.  Belgium  follows 
with  9.8  per  cent;  Germany,  9.5;  France,  7.9;  Brazil,  4.1,  and  the 
United  States,  3.0. 

A  classification  of  the  exports  into  six  general  divisions  show  agri- 
cultural products  worth  $241,077.1(»4.  a  gain  of  $77,585,543  over  1907; 
live-stock  products  $115,118,457,  a  decline  of  $8,701,748;  forest  prod- 
ucts $().347.234.  an  increase  of  $1,004,877;  fish  and  game  $498,012.  an 
increase  of  $330,947. 

Exports  of  cereals  showed  a  gain  over  1907.  wheat  taking  the  lead 
with  3.030.294  tons,  an  increase  of  955.492  tons:  corn  coming  second 
Avith  1,711,804  tons,  an  advance  of  455.492  tons;  linseed  third  with 
1,055,050  tons,  or  291.914  tons  more  than  the  previous  year,  while 
eats,  although  fourth  with  440.041  tons,  showed  a  gain  of  29C).475 
tons  over  1907.  This  is  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that  the  United 
States,  owing  to  a  slKu-t  crop,  was  a  large  importer  of  Argentine  oats, 
receipts  being  reported  of  4.000.000  bushels  in  twelve  months.  Ar- 
gentine corn  also  figured  in  the  country's  trade  lists  for  200.000  bush- 
els. Wool  exports  showed  an  increase  of  20.728  tons  over  1907.  the 
total  shipments  for  the  year  amounting  to  175.538  tons;  frozen  l)eef 
reached  a  total  of  180.915  tons,  an  increase  of  42.593  tons;  while 
in  jerked  beef  there  was  a  decline  of  3.999  tons,  amouiuing  to  only 


18  ARGENTINE    REPUBLIC. 

6,650  tons  in  1908.  Hay  showed  a  decrease  of  11,799  tons,  the  ex- 
ports of  this  article  reaching  only  32,078  tons,  while  quebracho  wood 
and  quebracho  extract  amounted  to  254,571  tons  and  18.162  tons,  re- 
spectively, an  advance  over  the  previous  year  of  8,057  and  19,967  tons. 
In  shipments  of  hides  there  was  a  healthy  increase,  and  of  those  ex- 
ported in  1908,  the  United  States  took  1.466.113,  Germany  1.200,696, 
and  Italy  654,716.  Exports  of  sheepskins  showed  a  gratifying  in- 
crease, 76,371  bales  being  exported  as  against  59,260  in  1907.  France 
was  the  principal  consumer,  taking  55.262  bales,  and  the  United 
States  7,669. 

In  pastoral  products  the  following  articles  showed  the  increased 
valuations  recorded :  Frozen  and  chilled  meats.  $5,275,000 ;  tanned 
sheepskins,  $281,600;  butter,  $206,000;  tallow  and  melted  fat, 
$1,224,000;  margarine,  $205,000;  goatskins,  $300,000;  bones,  $296,000; 
while  the  following  articles  decreased  in  the  amounts  stated :  Live  ani- 
mals, $314,000;  hair,  $136,500;  hides,  $900,000;  sheepskins,  $2,600,- 
000;  wool,  $12,000,000;  jerked  beef,  $405,000;  meat  extract,  $411,000. 

The  increased  valuations  noted  for  agricultural  products  were: 
Oats,  $6,101,000;  barley,  $436,000;  linseed,  $12,923,483;  maize,  $11,- 
902,886;  wheat,  $46,114,863;  flour,  $436,400;  bran,  $146,500;  and 
various  seeds,  $410,000.  The  only  considerable  decrease  w^as  $170,000 
in  hay  and  $808,000  in  canary  seed. 

From  investigation  of  the  trade  lists  of  other  countries,  it  is  found 
that  five  countries — Great  Britain,  Germany,  Belgium,  the  Nether- 
lands, and  Brazil — take  more  than  90  per  cent  of  the  Argentine  ship- 
ments of  wheat,  flax,  maize,  and  quebracho,  other  countries  merely 
supplementing  short  crops  or  supplying  temporary  necessities. 

Shipments  of  live  stock  during  the  year  comprised  4,032  steers, 
37,951  wethers,  3,487  horses,  and  1,042  mules.  Steers  and  wethers 
showed  an  increase  of  nearly  2,000  each,  Brazil  taking  over  one-half 
of  the  steers  and  Belgium  practically  all  of  the  wethers.  Horses  de- 
creased by  nearly  1,000  and  mules  by  14,500.  South  Africa  and 
P>razil  still  lead  in  the  import  of  Argentine  horses,  1,255  and  1,228, 
respectively,  being  credited  to  the  two  coinitries. 

The  Kepublic  has  done  much  to  cement  firmer  trade  relations  with 
countries  heretofore  occupying  unimportant  i)ositions  on  its  trade  list, 
as  is  shown  by  increased  imports  from  Tt;»ly,  S])nin.  Austro-Hungnry. 
France,  the  Xdlicrlands,  and  Chile. 

INDl  SriUKS. 

The  pjiriimoiinl  imporlancc  of  Mgriciilhirc  ;imong  (he  indiisti'ics  of 
the  I{('|inl)lic  is  (jcnionslriitcd  l)y  the  h';i(lf  ictiirn-  for  Ihc  y<';ir  1908. 
'IIh-  |)rn(hi''t  ion  of  ccrrMU  for  the  \c;ir  \\;i~  c-l  iinatcd  ;il  iiliont  n.'iM),- 
OOf)  Ion-.     The  (Toll-   for  tlic  \<';ir  wci'i':  \\'li(';il.  .'i. •_'('),■',. 7()5  ion<:  lin- 


ARGENTINE   REPUBLIC.  19 

seed,  1,100,700  tons;  and  oats,  492,770  tons.  Corn  exports  represent 
practically  the  entire  crop  of  1,711,804  tons. 

The  general  area  of  cereals  under  cultivation  in  1908  was  39,500,000 
acres,  the  area  under  wheat,  linseed,  and  maize  and  oats  being  15,- 
000,000,  3,835,000,  7,434,000,  1,393,000  acres,  respectively. 

The  agricultural  area  under  cultivation  in  1908,  as  compared  with 
1895,  has  increased  21G  per  cent.  A  large  portion  of  this  increase  is 
due  to  the  increase  in  the  cultivation  of  wheat,  the  area  of  which 
shows  an  increase  of  195  per  cent  as  compared  with  1895.  During 
the  same  period  the  linseed  area  increased  295  per  cent,  and  the  maize 
area  138  per  cent.  A  phenomenal  increase  is  noted  in  the  cultivation 
of  oats.  The  cultivation  of  alfalfa  has  also  largely  increased  during 
the  past  decade,  and  it  is  estimated  that  the  1,782,000  acres  of  alfalfa 
under  cultivation  in  1895  increased  to  over  10,000,000  in  1908.  Viti- 
culture has  also  largely  increased,  and  the  area  now  under  this  culti- 
vation is  estimated  at  140,000  acres. 

Under  careful  government  regulation  and  the  application  of  the 
latest  and  most  approved  scientific  methods  the  Republic  maintained 
its  place  among  the  countries  of  the  world  engaged  in  stock  raising. 
This  is  especially  true  with  regard  to  cattle,  as  the  last  returns  from 
seven  provinces  showed  $536,800,000  invested  in  this  industry.  A  re- 
cent agricultural  and  pastoral  census  of  the  Republic  showed  live 
stock  in  the  following  quantities:  Cattle.  29,116,625;  horses,  7,531,376; 
mules,  465,037:  donkeys,  285,088;  sheep,  67,211,754;  goats,  3,245,086; 
and  hogs,  1,403,591,  representing  a  total  valuation  of  $645,000,000. 
Annual  expositions  of  live  stock  held  at  Palermo,  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  capital,  show  a  constant  improvement  in  breeding  and  selection 
of  stock,  and  the  promulgation  of  the  executive  decree  of  May  8,  1908, 
enforcing  rigid  quarantine  regulations  in  regard  to  imported  live 
stock,  clearly  indicates  the  attitude  of  the  Government  in  the  protec- 
tion of  one  of  the  country's  principal  industries. 

The  Republic  now  occupies  first  place  among  the  countries  of  the 
world  as  a  purveyor  of  frozen  meat,  though  the  industry  is  as  yet 
practically  in  its  infancy,  and  with  the  cheapest  and  most  excellent 
raw  material  in  the  world  at  hand  in  inexhaustible  quantities  it  will 
undoubtedly  reach  proportions  greatly  in  excess  of  the  present.  This 
industry  in  1907  represented  over  $35,000,000  and  gave  employment 
in  various  establishments  to  nearly  5,000  workmen.  In  the  beef- 
salting  factories  of  the  River  Plate  region  the  cattle  slaughtered  num- 
bered 1,426,800  in  1908.  Uruguay  furnished  754,300;  Brazil,  425,000: 
and  the  Argentine  Republic,  247,500.  This  field  has  attracted  the 
attention  of  United  States  capitalists,  and  the  packing  interests  are 
investing  large  sums  in  Argentine  establishments. 

The  sugar  output,  of  which  the  Province  of  Tucuman  is  the  pro- 
ducine:   center,   amounted   to   nearlv    120,000   tons   which,   although 


ARGENTINE   REPUBLIC.  21 

not  (.'iilircly  .-at isfactory.  sliowi-d  a  coiisidcraMe  iiici-easc  owr  prcNious 
years.  Domestic  consuinptioii  is  140,000  tons  necessitating  ini|><)ila- 
tions  to  the  extent  of  some  -JO.OOO  tons  to  meet  the  demands  of  the 
home  market.  The  wine  inchistry.  at  the  be<»:inning  of  1S)0S.  repre- 
sented ca[)ital  aji<»'re<>atin<ji:  $51).000.000  with  an  avera<:e  animal  output 
of  1,890,000  hectoliters  valued  at  $12,.")00,000.  This  industry  also  i< 
as  yet  in  its  infancy.  In  the  l*rovinces  of  Mench)za  and  San  dnan 
ilie  vintage  for  the  pa^t  year  was  jjlaced  at  l,i200,000  barrels. 

The  recent  iiuhi^trial  census  taken  in  the  Republic  showed  tobacco 
manufacturing  to  be  one  of  the  most  jn'osperous  and  flourishing  in- 
dustries of  the  country,  occupying  third  place.  The  bulk  of  the  im- 
ported leaf  is  used  in  the  manufacture  of  fine  cigars  and  cigarettes, 
the  tobacco  grown  in  the  country  being  employed  largely  for  smoking 
tobacco.  During  the  five  years,  from  1903  to  1907,  inclusive,  imports 
of  tobacco  aggregated  10,4(58  tons,  of  which  2,925  tons  were  imj^orted 
in  1907.  There  are  77  tobacco  factories  in  the  country,  of  which  4() 
belong  to  foreigners.  These  rei)resent  an  investment  of  $8,440,272 
and  a  yearl^y  output  valued  at  $12,783,158. 

Nearly  $7,000,000  were  spent  during  the  year  in  importation-  of 
textile  goods,  the  twine  and  sacking  used  in  harvesting  figuring 
largely  in  the  total.  Much  of  the  material  heretofore  imported  can 
be  produced  to  advantage  in  the  country  where  the  large  areas  of 
easily  accessible  and  fertile  lands  should  attract  capitalists  and 
stimulate  the  cultivation  of  fibrous  plants,  thus  giving  an  impetus 
to  an  industry  of  great  profit  to  the  country.  This  matter  has 
already  been  taken  up  in  a  small  way  in  the  town  of  Brugo.  Province 
of  Entre  Rios,  where  the  manufacture  of  twine,  cord,  and  sacking- 
has  been  commenced.  The  article  produced  competes  advantageously 
with  the  products  of  foreign  looms. 

Progress  in  silk  culture,  another  of  the  infant  industries  of  the 
Republic,  for  the  year  1908,  while  not  entirely  satisfactory,  is  full  of 
hope  for  the  future.  The  raw  material  produced  has  been  })ro- 
nounced  by  European  experts  to  l)e  of  excellent  (piality.  and  the 
Government  assists  in  spreading  a  knowledge  of  the  j^ossibilities  of 
thi<  industry.  A  total  of  11,500,000  mulberry  trees  is  reported  in 
the  Republic,  of  which  Santa  Fe  has  5.200.000.  Coi-doba  4.5()().(H)0. 
Entre  Rios  1.500.000.  and  other  provinces  250.000. 

At  the  beginning  of  1908  the  wheat  milling  industry  showed  a 
total  of  350  establishments  of  which  47  connnenced  operation  during 
the  previous  year.  As  a  result  of  the  modern  methods  employed  in 
most  of  the  mills  the  yield  of  Hour  increased  from  ('4.5  pei-  cent  in 
1895  to  ()8.3  in  1907. 

The  cultivation  of  mate  is  being  fostered  by  the  (lovernment. 
and  50.000  plants  ha\e  l)een  purchased  for  distriliutioii  to  settlei's  on 
easv  terms  with  full  instructions  as  to  their  cultivation. 


22 


ARGENTINE    REPUBLIC. 


Many  causes  contribute  to  the  noticeable  lack  of  interest  shown  in 
the  exploitation  of  the  mineral  resources  of  the  Republic,  chief  of 
which  are  lack  of  available  capital,  difficulties  of  transportation,  and 
the  high  price  of  fuel.  Official  statistics  show  gold  exports  from  1903 
to  1907  to  have  reached  a  total  of  $1,910,912.  or  a  yearly  average  of 
about  $382,000.  Copper  figured  prominently  in  the  mineral  produc- 
tions and  marble  showed  a  steady  increase  from  1895  to  1901,  after 
which  it  remained  stationary.  Salt  is  mined  in  quantities  insufficient 
for  local  consumption  and  other  mineral  deposits  exploited  in  a 
small  way.     The  future  of  this  branch  of  industry  is  bright,  however, 


■'.  iii;at  .wvaiit'.   i  i;  \\~I'mi;i- aiiun.  ai;(,i:\  I  int;  i;i;rri!i.U'. 

1  lio  |>r'Mlii(iiiiii  1)1"  wlu'iil  ill  llic  Ki'public  is  aljoiit  live  iiiul  n  half  iiiillinn   inii- a  year,  of  w  liicli 
over  four  million  tonsure  f.\porti.'<l,  iiioslly  i<i  I:uim|ic. 

a>  iiiMiiy  of  the  precious  metals  abduinl  in  the  l\(']>ublic,  re<iiiiriiig  only 
the  nei'e--;ii'\  <';i|)il;il  to  (|e\('|(i|»  tlieni  ;iinl  iidd  lo  the  resources  of  the 
nat  ion. 

Fnilii-t  I'iiil  cotn|);iiiie>  iind  iniiilic  lit  il  ity  corporMl  ions  repoi'ted  a 
j)i'osp('rous  year ;  capitiil  so  employed  re|)resonle(l  an  aggivgate  invest- 
ment of  $133,199.<;31,  with  a  total  yearly  output  of  $lm;T.32l'.^(;2  and  a 
working  force  of  118.315  workmen. 

'I'he  mo^t  important  industi'ial  entei-prises.  oilier  llian  agiMcultural 
and  pastoial,  from  the  point  of  view  of  capital,  aic  nie;il  pncking  and 
nfrigerating  plants,  $31,13r..9T:; :  lirewcries.  $ir).9r>0.()(iO:  Hour  mills, 
$11,357,022:  jiaper  mills.  $0,489,000. 


AKGENTINE  REPUBLIC.  23 

Of  the  public-utility  corporations  in  the  capital,  the  seven  street- 
railway  companies  represented  a  total  mileage  of  608  kilometers,  with 
5,778  operatives  and  1,005  cars.  The  city  lighting  represented  an 
output  of  28,105,103  kilowatts  of  current,  and  for  private  consump- 
tion three  gas  companies  furnished  37,000.000  cubic  meters  of  gas. 
The  royalties  accruing  to  the  municipality  of  Buenos  Aires  for  the 
last  quarter  of  1908  from  the  German  electric  company  amounted  to 
$181,245  on  a  basis  of  0  per  cent  for  the  period  indicated.  Other 
public  utilities  in  contemplation  are  an  underground  railroad,  the 
enlargement  of  the  port  of  Buenos  Aires  by  the  construction  of  a 
deep-water  canal  to  connect  Avith  the  Parana  de  las  Palmas  River,  to 
cost  $47,000,000,  and  a  custom-house  at  Buenos  Aires  to  be  erected 
at  an  expense  of  $1,650,000. 

Real-estate  transfers  recorded  during  the  year  amounted  to  $98,- 
811,621,  as  compared  with  $88,627,961  in  1907,  while  mortgage  trans- 
actions covered  6,577  properties,  representing  3,844,059  square  meters, 
held  as  security  for  loans  aggi^egating  $42,246,289. 

Land  companies  in  the  Republic  had  a  prosperous  year,  as  is  shown 
by  their  yearly  reports. 

The  public  domain  of  the  Republic  in  March.  1907.  was  203,798.650 
acres  available  for  settlement  and  which  the  Government  holds  at  $1 
per  hectare. 

RAILW^AYS. 

The  Argentine  Republic  is  practically  covered  with  a  network  of 
railways,  which  extend  in  every  direction  and  connect  the  capital 
with  all  i^oints  north  and  south,  and  the  ports  of  Bahia  Blanca, 
Rosario,  Parana,  Santa  Fe,  and  San  Nicolas  with  the  interior. 
The  railway  extending  north  from  Buenos  Aires  via  Rosario,  Santa 
Fe,  Tucuman,  Salta.  and  Jujuy  connects  with  the  Bolivian  Railway, 
and  will,  when  completed,  establish  direct  communication  with  the 
capital  of  Bolivia.  The  Buenos  Aires  and  Pacific  Railway,  between 
Buenos  Aires  and  Mendoza.  makes  connection  with  the  Transandine 
Railway  at  the  latter  point,  which  railway,  when  completed,  will 
establish  the  much-needed  railway  connection  between  Chile  and 
Argentina. 

At  present  there  are  in  operation  in  the  country  15.476  miles  of  rail- 
ways, representing  a  capitalization  of  over  $788,964,416.  Xearly  1.000 
miles  were  added  in  1908.  Receipts  from  operating  roads  during  the 
year  are  estimated  at  $101,391,000  and  expenses  at  $61,368,000,  leav- 
ing a  profit  to  the  companies  interested  of  $40,023,000.  The  number 
of  passengers  carried  was  48.593.600,  and  freight  transported 
amounted  to  31,930,600  tons. 

The  majority  of  these  lines  are  owned  and  operated  by  private 
companies,  although  three  of  the  lines,  viz,  the  Central  Xorte,  Argen- 


ARGENTINE   REPUBL,1C.  25 

tino  del  Norte,  and  the  Andiiio  railways,  are  owned  and  operated  by 
the  Argentine  Government.  These  last  have  a  total  mileage  of  1,838 
miles. 

Buenos  Aires,  the  capital,  is  the  center  of  the  Argentine  railway 
system,  and  from  this  city,  trunk  lines  extend  to  the  city  of  Rosario, 
ISO  miles ;  to  the  city  of  San  Juan,  capital  of  the  Province  of  San  Juan, 
745  miles,  which  line  also  connects  with  the  city  of  Mendoza,  tapping 
the  fertile  wine  district,  as  well  as  with  the  Transandine  Railway ;  to 
the  city  of  Cordoba,  the  capital  of  the  province  of  the  same  name, 
known  as  the  city  of  churches  and  universities,  a  distance  of  433  miles. 
Another  trunk  line  extends  from  Buenos  Aires  in  a  southwesterly 
direction,  connecting  all  the  more  important  points  in  the  Province  of 
Buenos  Aires  with  the  capital,  and  extending  into  the  Territories  of 
Neuquen  and  Pampa,  785  miles  long. 

From  Rosario  a  trunk  line  extends  to  the  cities  of  Salta  and  Jujuy, 
in  the  extreme  north,  connecting  at  Tucuman,  the  center  of  the  sugar 
industry,  with  a  total  length  of  810  miles.  This  line  runs  through 
the  grain  belt  of  the  Argentine  Republic,  of  which  Rosario  may 
be  called  the  center,  handling  the  largest  percentage  of  the  grain 
exports,  and  second  only  to  Buenos  Aires  in  its  total  foreign  trade. 
From  Corrientes,  the  capital  of  the  province  of  the  same  name,  a  rail- 
way, 330  miles  in  length,  extends  in  a  southeasterly  direction  through 
the  Province  of  Corrientes  and  the  fertile  region  of  the  Province  of 
Entre  Rios,  as  far  as  the  cities  of  Concordia  and  Gualeguaychu,  a 
branch  line  connecting  with  the  city  of  Parana,  on  the  Parana  River. 

The  progressive  spirit  of  the  nation  is  shown  by  the  fact  that 
during  the  past  year  Congress  granted  concessions  for  the  construc- 
tion of  new  railway  lines  representing  nearly  3,125  miles  of  railway, 
the  building  of  which  wnll  involve  an  expenditure  of  nearly 
$25,000,000,  and  for  wliich  the  President  has  been  authorized  to  issue 
bonds.  Existing  lines  were  extended  and  connections  established  via 
Rosario  with  the  northern  limits  of  the  Province  of  Santa  Fe,  and  a 
French  company  has  begun  work  on  a  line  to  connect  with  the  rail- 
road between  Rosario  and  Point  Belgrano,  which  will  tap  a  rich  sec- 
tion of  land  suitable  for  agriculture  and  stock  raising.  To  the  south 
also  the  work  of  extending  existing  mileage  showed  progress,  and  the 
appointment  of  two  committees  for  the  survey  of  new  railroad  lines 
in  that  direction  gave  ample  assurance  that  the  Government  was  fully 
alive  to  the  immense  possibilities  of  Patagonia.  Improvement  of 
fluvial  navigation  also  figured  in  the  government  project  for  the  bet- 
terment of  the  national  transport,  an  appropriation  of  $3,850,000 
having  been  made  for  that  purpose. 

STEAMSHIPS. 

The  principal  port  in  the  Argentine  Republic,  at  which  most  of  the 
foreign  vessels  enter  and  clear,  is  the  port  of  Buenos  Aires,  while 


26  AEGEXTINE    EEPUBLIC. 

Rosario  de  Santa  Fe  is  the  second  in  size.  Baliia  Blanca  and  La 
Plata,  in  the  Province  of  Buenos  Aires,  are  also  accessible  for  ocean- 
going vessels  and  have  considerable  impoit  and  export  trade. 

Five  steamship  lines  pi}'  between  ports  of  the  United  States  and 
Buenos  Aires,  viz,  the  Lamport  &  Holt  Steamship  Compan}-,  the 
Prince  Line,  the  Norton  Line,  the  Houston  Line,  and  the  United 
States  and  River  Plate  Steamship  Company.  Of  these  only  the  hrst- 
named  company  has  a  regular  passenger  service  between  New  York 
and  Buenos  Aires,  steamers  leaving  New  York  once  a  month,  making 
the  run  in  twenty-four  to  twenty-six  days.  The  other  four  lines  liave 
only  foreign  boats,  with  limited  passenger  accommodation  in  this 
service,  leaving  New  York  or  New  Orleans  at  irregular  intervals,  and 
occupying  from  twenty-eight  to  forty  days  in  the  voyage.  First- 
class  passage  on  the  Lamport  and  Holt  steamers  ranges  from  $190  to 
$250  one  way,  while  the  rates  on  the  other  four  steamship  lines  vary 
from  $125  to  $160. 

An  excellent  service,  for  both  passengers  and  freight,  is,  however, 
maintained  with  all  European  ports,  there  being  three  Italian,  two 
French,  two  English,  two  German,  one  Spanish,  and  Danish  line  with 
regular  weekly  or  biw'eekly  service  between  the  ports  of  Genoa, 
Burdeous,  Marseilles,  Liverpool,  Hamburg,  Bremen,  Barcelona, 
etc.,  and  Buenos  Aires.  These  steamers  take  from  fifteen  to  twenty- 
five  days  for  the  trip,  the  passenger  rates  varying  from  $135  to  $250 
one  way.  The  Royal  Mail  Steamship  Company  and  the  Hamburg 
South  American  Steamship  Company  have  the  fastest  and  most  ele- 
gantly equipped  steamers  in  this  service,  and  usually  take  from  six- 
teen to  eighteen  days  between  Southampton  and  Buenos  Aires,  while 
the  Italian  liners  make  the  run  from  Genoa  to  Buenos  Aires  in  about 
the  same  time. 

The  Pacific  Steam  Navigation  Company's  passengers  arc  iians- 
shipped  at  Montevideo  (whence  these  steamers  proceed  directly  to 
the  West  Coast),  at  which  port  the  White  Star  I^ine's  steamers  also 
touch,  establishing  communication  with  Auslralia  and  New   Zealand. 

A\'ilh  ll\()  (le  Janeiro  and  all  Brazilian  ports  connec-tion  is  made 
\>y  ilie  Ll(jyd  Brazilerio  steamers,  while  the  Hamburg  South  Ameri- 
can Company  has  established  a  regular  line  of  stcaniers.  living  tlu; 
Ai'gcntinc  Hag,  between  l)n('nos  Aii'e>  and  all  points  south  as  far  as 
PiM-ito  ( iailcgos. 

'Jlircc  lines  of  steamers  jily  hetwcen  r)iieno>  Aire'-  and  Moiilex  ideo, 
making  the  run  in  one  night,  and  regular  sei'vice  is  maintained  hy  the 
Mihano\icli  line  between  Buenos  Aires  and  points  on  the;  Parana, 
Uruguay,  and  I'aiagnay  Kivcr  as  far  as  Asuncion,  the  capilol  of 
I'araguay,  live;  days  being  refjuired  for  the  entiic  lii|). 

The  sliip[>ing  for  the  year  showed  arrivals  of  vessels  iniinbering 
2,232,  representing  a  total  tonnage  of  4,888,741  tons,  whirh  as  com- 


28  AEGENTINE    REPUBLIC. 

pared  with  1907  is  an  increase  in  steam  tonnage  of  998,978  tons,  and 
of  sailing  vessels  10,931  tons.  Of  this  total  tonnage  the  United  States 
was  credited  with  4.074  tons,  represented  by  four  small  sailing 
vessels. 

WATERWAYS. 

The  Argentine  Repttblic  has  been  endowed  l)y  nature  with  a  num- 
ber of  excellent  waterways,  some  of  which  form  the  means  of  trans- 
portation and  communication  for  several  provinces,  and  connection 
with  Paraguay  and  Bolivia,  as  well  as  with  Uruguay  and  the  interior 
of  Brazil. 

There  are  a  number  of  interior  ports,  such  as  Concordia.  Concep- 
cion  del  Uruguay,  Corrientes.  La  Paz,  San  Nicholas,  Parana,  Santa 
Fe,  and  Campana.  all  of  Avhieli  afford  good  anchorage  for  ocean- 
going vessels. 

Among  the  rivers  are  the  Uruguay.  na\igabl('  uj)  to  the  city  of 
Concordia  for  large  steamers;  the  Parana,  navigable  for  ships  of 
12  feet  draft  as  far  as  the  city  of  Corrientes:  the  Paraguay,  navi- 
gable for  vessels  of  12  feet  draft  as  far  as  the  city  of  Asuncion,  in 
Paraguay,  and  for  light-draft  vessels  almost  in  its  entire  length  of 
1,800  miles;  while  the  Pilcomayo  and  the  Bermejo  are  both  navigable 
for  short  distances. 

The  Rio  Negro  is  likewise  navigable  for  vessels  of  light  draft  for 
a  considerable  length,  as  are  the  Chubut,  Senguer.  Doseado.  Rio  Chico, 
Santa  Cruz,  and  Gallegos  rivers.  These  afford  the  means  of  trans- 
portation for  the  southern  j)rovinces  and  territories. 

Five  companies  operating  river  steamers  establish  communication 
between  the  different  ports  and  cities  on  the  Paragiuiy,  Urugua3%  and 
Parana  River,  as  well  as  on  the  estuary  of  the  mighty  La  Plata, 
or  River  Plate,  formed  by  the  confluence  of  these  three  rivers,  which 
is  150  miles  wide  at  its  mouth  in  the  Atlantic  Ocean  near  Montevideo, 
and  extends  for  some  200  miles  inland,  narrowing  down  to  only  35. 
miles  wide,  wliere  the  Parana  and  Uruguay  empty  into  it. 

A  number  of  j)ictures(|ue  lakes  ai'e  to  be  found  in  the  southern  [/art 
of  tlie  country,  among  which  Luke  Nalnicl  Ilii,i|ii.  which  has  a  total 
area  of  '500  M|U!U-e  miles  and  on  which  theic  arc  •_'('.  little  islands. 
Othei-  ];\]<('<  of  importance  ai'c  San  .Mai'tin.  N'icdnia.  and  Argentino, 
all  of  which  ai'e  notable  for  their  scenic  beauty,  and  are  navigable 
for  small  craft. 

Among  the  |)(ut  ini|)ro\  cnient-  in  conleni|ilal  ion  by  the  (Joxfrn- 
ment  ar<'  includ<'<l  the  widening  of  the  channel  at  Kosai'io.  the  con- 
struction of  a  sliip  canal  at  I'nt'no-  Aires,  irrigation  woik-^  on  the 
'I'ercei'o  l!i\ci".  and  the  con-t  iiici  khi  of  ;i  port  at  the  mouth  nl'  the 
Que(|uen  (Jrande  Kiver.      in  adilitioii  lo  ihc   foregoing.  ( 'ongress  has 


ARGENTINE  REPUBLIC.  29 

authorized  a  special  loan  of  $420,000  for  dredging  the  Gualeguaychu 
River  and  $175,000  for  the  construction  of  a  road  bridge  over  the 
Tunuyan  River. 

POSTS   AND    TELEGRAPHS. 

The  postal  service  of  the  country  at  the  close  of  1908  included 
2.377  offices,  handling  mail  matter  aggregating  705,000,000  pieces 
and  parcels  to  the  number  of  2,020,000.  and  showed  receipts  amount- 
ing to  $8,328,988.67.  an  increase  of  7  per  cent  over  iy07.  The  tele- 
graph system  at  the  end  of  the  same  year  showed  a  mileage  of  15,900 
miles,  transmitted  10,840,000  messages  over  30,500  miles  of  wire,  gave 
employment  to  9,457  persons,  and  showed  receipts  amounting  to 
$2,476,140.11.  New  lines  covered  240  miles,  and  the  Government  is 
at  present  considering  the  laying  of  a  direct  cable  line  Avith  Europe. 
The  erection  of  new  buildings  for  the  use  of  the  postal  and  telegraph 
systems  as  contemplated  by  the  Government  in  the  Province  of  San 
Juan  involved  an  expenditure  of  ?250.000  and  ?50.000  is  to  be  spent 
for  the  extension  of  existing  telegraph  lines  in  that  district. 

The  Argentine  Government  has  established  a  number  of  wireless 
stations  along  the  coast,  which  have  been  operated  with  flattering 
success. 

The  tide  of  immigration  still  flows  toward  the  Republic.  The 
figures  for  1908  showed  303.112  arrivals,  an  increase  of  46,607  over 
the  preceding  twelve  months.  Five  pastoral  colonies  are  to  be  laid 
out  by  the  Government,  under  agreement  with  a  German  syndicate, 
in  the  territory  of  Santa  Cruz,  of  which  a  proportion  will  be  reserved 
for  immigrant  families  to  be  introduced  directly  from  Germany  by 
the  company. 

EDUCATION. 

Public  instruction  in  the  Argentine  Republic  is  divided  into  three 
classes — primary,  secondary,  and  higher  education.  Primary  educa- 
tion is  compulsory  and  free  for  children  between  6  and  14  years  of 
age.  There  are  5,250  public  schools  for  primary  instruction  in  the 
Argentine  Republic  maintained  by  the  Federal  Government,  aside 
from  the  numerous  schools  supported  by  the  provinces.  The  schools 
in  the  capital  and  in  the  territories  are  under  the  supervision  of  a 
National  Council  of  Education,  which  occupies  a  handsome  building 
in  the  cit}^  of  Buenos  Aires. 

Secondary  education  is  not  compulsory,  but  it  is  practically  free, 
there  being  only  a  small  fee  charged  for  registration,  etc.  Sixteen 
lyceums  and  35  normal  schools,  situated  in  all  the  larger  cities  of  the 
Republic,  provide  for  secondary  or  preparatory  education. 

The  national  universities  at  Cordoba  and  Buenos  Aires  and  the 
provincial  universities  at  La  Plata,  Santa  Fe,  and  Parana  provide 


30 


ARGEXTIXE    REPUBLIC. 


hiorher  education,  with  faculties  for  law  and  social  sciences,  medicine, 
exact,  physical,  and  natural  sciences,  and  philosophy  and  literature, 
A  Xational  School  of  Commerce,  situated  in  the  city  of  Buenos 
Aires,  instructs  expert  accountants  and  translators,  while  a  School 
of  Mines  (in  the  city  of  San  Juan),  the  Agrarian  and  Veterinary 
School  at  Santa  Catalina  (Province  of  Buenos  Aires),  the  Viticul- 
tural  School  at  Mendoza.  the  Xational  School  of  Pilots,  and  the  com- 
mercial schools  at  Cordoba  and  Bahia  Blanca  are  either  maintained 
or  subsidized  bv  the  Xational  Government. 


li:J:..-lJJl.NT  MlTKi;  SCHOOL,  IJI.KNO-  Allli;-,  A  l;i ;  KNTI  N  K   K  KIT  Hl.lt  ■. 

Thi.s  commodious  and  \vi'll-e<|Uiiipc-fl  i-dilicc  wius  spuciiilly  coiistnicti'd  liy  tlie  FodiTiil  Govcrmiuiu  for 
use  of  the  priiiinry  and  Krainmar  griuk-s.  The  public  school  system  of  Biiciios  Aires  is  im>ler  the 
control  of  a  school  iKjanl,  and  primary  instruction  is  obligatory. 

A  iiiiiijltcr  of  scholar-  iioiii  each  prosiiicc  arc  aiimially  sen!  abroad 
at  the  expense  of  the  Goveinmeiit  to  complete  their  studies  at  the 
various  colleges  and  universities  of  the  riiited  Stutes.  Kughuid,  Ger- 
many, France,  and  ilaly.  there  being  at  the  [treseiit  time  30  of 
these  students  in  the  \iiiioM>  universities  and  ctiHeges  of  the  Ihiiled 
States. 

Niimertxir,  j)ri\;ite  -ch(»oU  otaltlished  in  cxciy  -cctKiii  of  the 
count  rv  also  j)rovid('  e(hicat  iona  I  ;iil\  antnges. 

'J'he  Industrial  School  of  I'.iiciko  Aires,  which  \\-a>  recently  re- 
moved lo  new  iiiid  e\teii-i\e  <|ii:irters.  is  a  bo  iiiaintnincd  by  the 
X:ilion;il    ( i(»\ciiinienl .      It    lia^    elaborate    \V(»rl<sli(»|)-.    and    |)ro\ides 


ARGENTINE  KEPUBLIC.  31 

for  the  teaching  of  all  trades  and  crafts,  being  equipped  with  all  the 
necessary  machinery  and  appliances. 

The  National  Conservatory  of  Music  and  the  School  of  Drawing, 
as  well  as  the  School  of  Art,  are  other  institutions  enjoying  the 
official  suj)port  of  the  Argentine  Government,  while  a  number  of 
libraries  are  open  to  the  public.  The  National  Museum  of  History, 
the  Museum  of  Fine  Arts,  and  the  Museum  of  Natural  History  at 
Buenos  Aires  and  the  famous  Museum  of  La  Plata  are  other  interest- 
ing institutions. 

The  Government  maintains  agricultural  stations  at  Tucumau.  Bella 
Vista,  San  Juan,  and  Terna.  A  w^ell-kept  botanical  garden,  situated 
in  the  Park  of  Palermo,  Buenos  Aires,  affords  opportunity  for  the 
study  of  horticulture,  and  the  Zoological  Garden,  in  which  can  be 
found  representatives  of  all  species  of  animals  from  all  parts  of  the 
globe,  is  one  of  the  most  popular  resorts  of  the  people  of  Buenos  Aires. 

Numerous  literary,  scientific,  industrial,  commercial,  and  agricul- 
tural societies  exist  throughout  the  country,  some  of  which  publish 
bulletins  containing  valuable  information  and  arrange  lectures  and 
debates,  while  others,  such  as  the  Sociedad  Rurcde.  hold  annual 
expositions,  attended  by  all  the  well-to-do  Argentinians,  and  forming 
a  social  event  of  the  year. 

The  press  is  well  represented  in  the  Eepublic,  there  being  several 
newspapers  printed  in  even  the  smallest  tow^ns,  while  in  the  city  of 
Buenos  Aires  there  are  472  publications  of  all  kinds,  66  of  which  are 
dailies,  16  triweeklies,  44  biweeklies,  191  weeklies,  and  64  monthlies, 
others  being  irregularly  issued.  The  press  of  the  city  of  Buenos 
Aires  is  the  most  polyglot  of  any  city  in  the  world,  there  being 
412  publications  in  the  language  of  the  country  (Spanish),  22  in 
Italian,  8  in  French,  8  in  English,  8  in  German,  and  1  in  Arabic.  The 
Danish,  Norwegian,  Swedish,  Basque,  Russian.  Dutch,  etc.,  colonies 
all  have  their  respective  organs. 

"Z«  Prensa^''  a  Buenos  Aires  daily,  holds  high  rank  among  the 
world's  publications.  Next  in  importance  is  "  La  Nacion^'''  founded  in 
the  year  1870  by  the  famous  Argentine  statesman,  Don  Batolome 
Mitre,  while  "^?  Diario  "  is  the  principal  evening  paper.  Other 
Spanish  papers  of  importance  are  "£^7  Pais,''''  ^"La  Razon^''  "La  Argen- 
tina^'' "7'H6ifwa,"  ''''El  Tiempo.^''  "El  Pueblo^''  etc.  •  The  largest  Eng- 
lish dailies  are  "  The  Standard,"  "  The  Buenos  Aires  Herald,"  and 
■'  The  Southern  Cross."  Among  the  English  weeklies  *'  The  Review 
of  the  River  Plate  "  and  '*  The  Times  of  Argentina  "  are  the  more 
important,  both  of  these  being  devoted  to  the  shipping  and  financial 
interests  of  the  country.  Among  the  Aveeklies  printed  in  Spanish. 
"Caras  y  Caretas  "  deserves  especial  mention,  being,  as  it  is.  an  en- 
tirely unique  production,  which  is  extremely  popular  in  Argentina, 
with   a   circulation   of   about   80.000.     "La   Ilustracion  Sud-Aniei^i- 


32 


ARGEXTIXE    REPUBLIC. 


cana^''  a  handsomel}^  illustrated  monthly,  is  one  of  the  best  produc- 
tions of  its  kind,  while  ''Za  Revista  de  Derecho^  Historia  y  Letras  "  is 
a  literary  production  of  the  hiofhest  order. 


A  I'RIVATK  KKSIDENCK  OF  JSL'KNOS  AIRES. 

Buenos  Aires  is  noted  for  the  beauty  of  private  residences.  Wealthy  landowners  and  ranchers  of  the 
interior  spend  a  hirge  portion  of  the  year  in  the  capital,  and  to  a  large  extent  business  mauage- 
ment  of  the  country  is  concentrated  in  this  city,  which  is  embellished,  in  consequence,  with 
magnificent  and  costly  private  homes. 

The  Centennial  Exposition  to  be  held  in  Buenos  Aires  in  IDIO  will 
give  the  world  an  opportunity  to  observe  at  close  range  the  vast  pos- 
sibilities of  tlic  <-oini<!y  MS  well  as  its  purchasing  power. 


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